AgForce Queensland has launched a new initiative which it says is designed to help facilitate better engagement between grassroots beef producers and key industry influencers involved in cattle policy reform.

The ‘Beefing up our Policy’ initiative, which will include webinars, local community meetings and alignment with key industry events such as Innovation in Live Export (22 July – Townsville) and Beef 2015 (4 – 9 May – Rockhampton), is designed to ensure grassroots producers have access to those in their industry that shape and drive policy.

The first round of on the ground events will be held in Moura, Middlemount and Emerald next month and will feature AgForce Cattle Executive and representatives from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Cattle Council of Australia (CCA).

AgForce Cattle President Bim Struss said he looked forward to bringing these representatives to the regions to better engage Queensland beef producers in policy discussions.

“These meetings will be the first in a series of events to be rolled out across Queensland that will allow producers to help set priorities for policy reform and initiate discussion about the issues they are facing on the ground with the people who have a voice in policy setting and decision making,” Mr Struss said.

“The intimate, panel style setting of the meetings will allow producers to air their concerns by encouraging as much interaction as possible.”

Mr Struss said ‘Beefing up our Policy’ will be an ongoing program that will deliver tailored regional events and a range of digital webinars to maximise members’ access to policy discussion.

“If we have a greater diversity of voices at the table, we will be in a better position to formulate cutting edge and industry relevant policy,” he said.

“We recognise there is no ‘one size fits all’ for our diverse membership and we want to engage in a way that suits them and their business.”

Guest speakers will include CCA President Howard Smith, CCA Northern Director David Hill and MLA Managing Director Richard Norton.

The panel will lead an open discussion covering everything from beef language reform to the value of industry levies.

Event details: ‘Beefing up our policy’ – CQ series

• Moura – Tuesday 10 March, 10am – 2pm
• Middlemount – Wednesday 11 March, 10am – 2pm
• Emerald – Thursday 12 March, 9am – 1pm

Source: AgForce. To register and for more about ‘Beefing up our Policy’ initiative and events visit www.agforceqld.org.au> Events and Initiatives > Events Calendar. For more information please contact Frank Murray, AgForce Central Queensland Regional Manager on 0427 021 370.